The December 2001 Pneuma Informer
In this issue:
- On-line article from the Pneuma Review: "Mayim Chayim:
The Living Waters" by Kevin Williams - added November 9,
2001. mayim_chayim.jsp
- On-line only article by Kevin Williams "Unify the
Name" on the ancient Hebrew understanding of the tri-unity
of God. - added November 16, 2001.intro_unify_the_name.jsp
Also, be sure to check out the "What's New" section
on the Pneuma Foundation homepage. New articles and other
features are being added almost weekly.
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Write
Webmaster Dave Driggs with your suggestion. Or use the on-line form to submit your suggestion:
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Reports from Around the World
Ministry Experiences 'Pentecost-type'
Results
Officials of a Chicago-based ministry that provides God's
Word and discipleship worldwide have seen
"Pentecost-type" results this year. Bible League staff
in 46 countries counted 219,074 converts discipled and baptized
in 2001—a 21 percent increase over 2000.
"To put these results in perspective, each week our
worldwide partners are reporting another Pentecost event, with
more than 4,200 converts being discipled, baptized and received
into church membership each week of the year," said David
Stravers, Bible League's executive vice president of
ministry. "Usually, when we think of the Acts 2 story of
3,000 people responding to Peter's Pentecost sermon, we think
this is the epitome of evangelistic effectiveness. But actually
this degree of Spirit-led impact has become the normal situation
for [our] ministries around the world."
Besides a record number of converts in 2001, the ministry
reported last week that nearly 1.9 million people completed Bible
studies to earn their own New Testament or complete Scriptures—a 12 percent increase over the previous year. Also, 3,075 new
churches—13 percent more than 2000—were established in
areas where no church had existed. Although encouraged by the
results, Bible League officials estimate that they have to turn
down two out of three requests for Bibles because of lack of
funds.
Source: Charisma News Service, Dec 13, 2001 Vol. 3 No. 184. Used with permission.
India: "Sorry, we've just run over your
god"
A group of Christian researchers traveled to a village in
Northern India to study the local religious convictions and
practices. Just before arriving at the village, they felt a bump,
as though they had run over something. When they looked to see
what it was, they discovered a 2-meter-long Cobra. When they
entered the village, they asked the people what they believed and
worshipped, and were told "Each morning, a large Cobra comes
to the village. We feed it and worship it." They told the
people "Well, that means we probably accidentally ran over
your god this morning. Let us tell you something about the
creator of the snake -- and of us all." At the end of the
day, the villagers decided to become Christians, so a new church
started the very same day.
Source: Friday Fax 2001 Issue 48
Evangelical Christianity's rapidly increasing growth
rate
In his upcoming book The New Christianity, American church growth
researcher and author Jim Rutz describes the astonishing increase
in the growth rate of evangelical Christianity. "In the
mid-80's, evangelical Christianity experienced a strong
upward turn. Prior to 1985, the growth rate was 2% per year,
slightly higher than the growth of the world population; today it
is around 7.5% per year. If the current growth continues, the
entire world would be followers of Jesus Christ in 2041..."
he says.
| '''Year''' |
Christians (millions) |
Growth rate in percent |
| 1970 |
272 |
' |
| 1985 |
366 |
2% (1970-85) |
| 1990 |
445 |
4(1985-90) |
| 1995 |
596 |
6(1990-95) |
| 2000 |
836 |
7(1995-2000) |
| 2001 |
899 |
7.5(2000+) |
In comparison, the growth rates of the most important religious
groups:
| Growth rate in percent |
| Catholics |
1.2 % |
| World population |
1.3 |
| Buddhists |
1.7 |
| Hindus |
2.3 |
| All "Christians" |
2.6 |
| Moslems |
2.7 |
| All Protestants |
2.9 |
| Evangelicals |
7.5 |
Evangelical Christians include Pentecostal/charismatic Christians, as well as a growing number of Christians outside traditional churches. The figures are Jim Rutz' extrapolations of statistical material from the "Global Evangelization Movement" (David Barrett) and Dawn Ministries, and an 'intelligent estimate' of 130 million
evangelical Christians in China today.
Source: Jim Rutz [jamesrutz [at] cs.com], The New Christianity, as appearing in Friday Fax 2001 Issue 47.
Sponsor A Christian Leader
There are a number of ministries worldwide that have said they
would be benefited by receiving the Pneuma Review but cannot
afford the subscription costs. Are you interested in building the
body of Christ by helping equip others with biblically sound
teaching from a Pentecostal/charismatic perspective? One small
way you get become involved in that great task is by sponsoring a
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Please consider sponsoring one of the ministries listed on the
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A Pneuma Foundation
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Help equip others with the Word of God, sponsor a ministry or
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Thought to Ponder
We cannot grasp the true meaning of the divine holiness by
thinking of someone or something very pure and then raising the
concept to the highest degree we are capable of. God's
holiness is not simply the best we know infinitely bettered. We
know nothing like the divine holiness. It stands apart, unique,
unapproachable, incomprehensible and unattainable. The natural
man is blind to it. He may fear God's power and admire His
wisdom, but His holiness he cannot even imagine.
— A. W. Tozer
Excerpts from the Winter 2002 (Vol 5, No 1) issue of the
Pneuma Review
The
Pneuma Review is a
quarterly printed journal of ministry resources and theology for
Pentecostal and charismatic ministries and leaders.
Complete Article:
"Pentecostalism and Ecumenism: Past, Present,
and Future" Part 5 of 5, By Amos Yong
V. Pentecostalism and Ecumenism: Future Prospects and
Tasks
The full series has now been reprinted online at the new PneumaReview.com website.
From the Worship Leader series: "Compliments: Stumbling Blocks or Treasures of the Heart?" by Rick Kamrath
Reprinted on the new PneumaReview.com website.
Prayer Requests:
- Christian leaders in Argentina are asking believers worldwide
to pray for their nation. Please pray for the escalating
situation as people are rioting and looting in a rage against
their government's perceived lack of action about the
country's economic crisis.
- A friend of the ministry, Pastor Daniel of the Philippines,
has asked us to pray with him for effectiveness in ministry as he
shows the love of Jesus to the millions of street children in
Manila. The needs are so great, but God is greater.
- Dave Johnson, missionary to the Philippines and writer for
the Pneuma Review, has asked for prayer as he researches the
beliefs and religious practices of the Waray people in an attempt
to develop better teaching in order to bring them to Jesus
Christ. Dave and his wife Debbie have asked specifically for
prayer for: God's special protection because much of the
research involves asking questions that in way or another deal
with the demoni, God's guidance and protection on all their
journeys, that the people will answer the questions honestly,
that a spiritual breakthrough will take place, and that God will
give them wisdom to use the knowledge they obtain to evangelize
and disciple the Waray-Waray people more effectively.
- A friend of the Pneuma Foundation has asked us to pray for
her father: "Please pray for my father, Bill who has
pancreatic cancer. He has only been given a few months to live.
Please pray that the Lord will heal my father so that he may live
a long and glorious life."
- An evangelist in Pakistan has asked the Pneuma Foundation to
pray with him for the Lord's provision for ministry efforts
in his country. Please pray for financial provision, open doors,
and open hearts to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. If you would
like to learn more about this ministry or how you might help,
please contact Member Services,
for more information.
Praise Reports:
- Praise the Lord for the positive impact Christians were able
to have during the conversion rally of low-caste Hindu Dalits to
Buddhism in Delhi, India on November 4. There was a concerted
effort made to prevent a Christian influence on the ceremony,
with police and regional leaders attempting to prevent any
conversions to Christianity. Though it was obvious to some
observers that conversions from Hinduism to Buddhism were
apathetically permitted, the aggression against Christianity was
quite apparent. Through it all, Christians were able to display
the love of Christ and show solidarity with those Dalits (the
"untouchables") seeking relief from the oppressive
caste system. May the Lord use these seeds to bring a great
harvest in the future.
- Praise God that although many ministries have seen giving
slack off since the attack on America on Sept. 11, the faithful
support of Pneuma Foundation members and friends has continued
with little change. Thanks to all contributors for making this
ministry continue to grow. Although the Pneuma Foundation does
not make appeals for financial assistance, our continued support
demonstrates the faithfulness of God and His people.
Please send us your prayer requests and praise reports. We have a
great God who always meets our needs.
If you would like more information about how you may help in
meeting these needs, please E-mail
Member Services.
